Brave || Zerrie AU

Daisy

"So why the change in hair?" Jesy asked Perrie as the girls sat in a circle on top of Perrie's bed. 

"I wanted a change in me? Does that make sense?" Perrie sighed, taking her time to collect her thought. "When Zayn broke up with me he destroyed something inside of me that I loved dearly and every time I looked in a mirror I would see that broken girl. I  didn't want that anymore so i changed the reflection of the girl." 

The girls of Little Mix looked at their dear friend and in that moment they noticed that Perrie had indeed changed. Something about the way she carried herself made them realize she wasn't the same girl that had left a couple weeks ago. 

No. The women that was standing before them wasn't broken anymore. A different light shined bright in her eyes and her smile reached the light in her eyes. 

"Well, I for one love the brown hair, Pez! It's super cute." Leigh-Ann giggled as she grabbed another slice of pizza. 

Jade and Jesy chimed in in agreement. Perrie smiled and thanked them. 

"That reminds me," Perrie said while she reached for her bag, "I wrote some songs while I was in Sevence and I was thinking that maybe we could use them in our next album." 

"That would be great!" 

The girls took the brown journal Perrie had guarded so carefully and read all the things inside. After a moment they all looked up at Perrie and laughed. "You need to get your heart broken more often because wow, these songs are beyond amazing!" 

"Perrie, we could make the next album with these songs!"Jade got up from the best and headed towards Perrie's closet. She appeared a moment later with a guitar in her hand. 

"Let's make an album, ladies." 

******

Perrie walked through the familiar streets that led to Harry's apartment. The small box in her hand became heavier with every step she took. When she finally arrived at his doorsteps she felt like her heart was going to explode with fear. She feared that he would hate her because she had ran away when he only wanted to help her. She took a deep breathe and knocked. 

When there was no response, after a few moments, Perrie turned to leave, but in that moment the door swung open. Harry stood there without a shirt and only sweats on. 

A big smile made its way across Perrie's face as she looked at her best friend in front of her. The look in Harry's eyes were not what she expected. Usually when she looked into his beautiful green eyes she would find a warmth similar to that of Ciro's, but as she looked at him she only saw coldness. 

"Perrie." 

Perrie balanced on one foot as she stood awkwardly in the hallway. "Hey, Harry." 

"When did you get back?" Was all he asked, not even inviting her in.

"Um, yesterday actually. It was kind of last minute." She awkwardly scratched her head as she tired to do something so this didn't get any more uncomfortable. 

"Well, I'm glad you had a safe flight." Harry was about to close his door when Perrie stepped forward and pushed the door a little. 

"Please, Harry," She begged, "Don't hate me. Let me explain." 

"Explain what?" Harry shouted, no doubt waking up his neighbors. "That when I was trying to help you you pushed me away and left the country?" 

"It's more complicated than that, Harry." Perrie tried to explain, but Harry cut in. 

"I called you a a hundred time and you only answered once! I told you I would be there for you and I expected you to call me back at least one, but I didn't hear anything." 

Perrie gulped, the ball forming in her throat made it almost impossible. Her heart weighed heavy with regret, but she push those feelings aside. 

"Let me in. We have to talk." 

Harry hesitated for a moment, but finally invited her in. 

His apartment hadn't changed much since the last time she had been here. The city appeared before her as she walked to the glass windows. A sudden warmth washed through her as she remembered all the fun times she had spent here. All the movies she had watched on that TV and all the popcorn fights they had had on his couch. Perrie snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of the door closing behind her. 

She walked to the couch and took a seat. Harry followed her and sat in front of her, his arms crossed over his chest. "Okay, tell me what happened." 

Perrie sighed and began her story. She told Harry how she felt trapped being surrounded by things that reminded her of Zayn and that the only way for her to move forward with her life was to put space between them. She talked about all the fun times she had in Sevence and the friends she had made there. She told him about Ciro, her guardian angel on the whole trip. Abriella and Ciro had helped Perrie heal her heart while staying true to who she wanted to be. When she was done she saw that warmth return to Harry's eyes. 

He took a seat next to her, taking her hand in his and squeezing it hard. "I'm sorry for being so selfish Perrie." 

Perrie squeezed his hand back and smiled. "I completely understand, Harry."

Harry pulled Perrie into a hug, "I'm so glad you're feeling better." 

Perrie pulled away and grabbed his face in her hands. "I am more than okay now Harry. I feel like a new person." 

She handed him the small brown box she had been carrying and told him to open it. 

"What is it?" He asked.

Perrie giggled. "Just open it, dummy." 

He stared at her for a second before opening the box. His thick eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he pulled out a small white rock. Perrie took it from his hand and explain its meaning. 

"When I was in Sevence I was told that if I made a wish and truly believed in it with all my heart it would come true." She held the small stone in her hand. "Then you would throw the rock into the fountain in the plaza and hope it came true. Before I left i picked one for you because I know that most of the time you are worrying about everyone else, but you. Use this rock and make a wish."  

Before Harry could say anything else the doorbell rang. 

"Expecting anyone?" Perrie asked, but by the look on his face she could tell he wasn't. "Let me get it." 

She stood up and walked to the door, but before she opened it she heard Harry say, "You leave and then come back and act like you own my apartment." He joked. 

"Shut up, Harry." Perrie laughed over her shoulder and opened the door. Her smile died on her lips as she realized who stood in front of her. She could feel the blood draining from her face at the moment her eyes met those hazel ones. 

Shock was written clearly on Zayn's face as he looked at the brunet in front of him. His words unable to form as he looked at the face he had missed so dearly. His heart broke at the sight of her and he expected that same look on her face. But it wasn't there. 

Perrie's heart would've broken at the sight of Zayn in front of her a few months ago, but now she only stared at the man she had once loved so passionately. Her heart ached as if reminding her that he was a puzzle piece it needed. But in that second she realized that not only Zayn was in her heart now. 

"Perrie." Zayn finally seemed to manage to say though it pained him to say her name.

"Zayn." Perrie responded. She had hoped her voice would hold some iciness in it, but it only sounded like she had been running a marathon. 

 Before she knew what was happening she felt arms around her and realized Zayn was hugging her. "I missed you so much, my Perrie." He whispered to her, holding onto her for dear life as if she was going to disappear any moment. 

She stood there paralyzed, not sure what to do, but after a moment she hugged his back. She nestled her head into her shoulder. He was shorter then Ciro, she thought. 

The feeling of being in his arms was one she realized she truly did miss."I'm right here, Zayn." 

************